The Pirates spent about $17 million total on the draft, which shatters the previous record (around $12M, by the Nats). Cole’s deal is the largest minor league contract in draft history, and the largest draft signing bonus in Pirates history.

The huge news here is Bell (Cole was a virtual lock to sign, the question was just how much it would take). Bell, a 5-tool HS outfielder that was named a top-15 talent , told teams not to draft him (since he wanted to attend college at Texas). After the Bucs picked him in the second round anyway, national “experts” and “inside sources” all over the place still expected him to turn the Pirates down.

Neal Huntington and the gang made sure that didn’t happen. Bell’s $5M deal shatters the previous record for a non-first-rounder: $2.75M. This sort of thing is obviously becoming a big trend with the Pirates, as they continue to shell out the big bucks on the draft. As we’re well aware, high school and college kids aren’t guaranteed success in the majors, but this is undoubtedly the best way for the Bucs to acquire the young talent they need to succeed.

Check out the Pirates Prospects scouting reports on Cole and Bell for more on the newest Bucs and what they bring to the system.